Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-02
THE N. p. BLUNDER.
The 'Montana Wool Grower" Tells
What it Knows of Railroad
Building.

We understand upon good authority tha!
tho contracts for grading and track laying
across d northern Indian reservations
have already been let by the Manitoba
road. Material and provisions are now
being massed at the end OF the line in d.
kota, to perform next season the greatest
feat yet accomplished by any railroad in
America. The Canadian Pacific, in one
season, moved 10000 900 yards of dirt;
the Manitoba proposes to move between
Fort Buford and Butte 1000 yards of dirt
the coming season. At IS cents per yard
this grading will cost over 81 900, 600; and
track laying and bridge building may bring
the sum up to 81, $685. 900. Right of way,
station and tank building may bring tie
sum up to 100000. Right Of way, sta
ton and tank building. and all other equip
ments and rolling stock, will nearly double
this sum-that is, make it SIS, 900, 600.
This figure would bring the cost OF this 600
miles OF road equipped to the very large
figure of $500 per mile. Where is Col.
Broadwater going to have the Manitoba
put that 5000. 900?
If other roads do some heavy work in
the Territory tho coming season, they NAV
swell this 81, 900 to Sc 5000, 900.
Where is our worthy Governor going to
have that ten million dollars OF railroad
money expended in the Territory the COM
ing season? But then, to these gentlemen
who live alongside Of the Red Mountain
and Drum Lummon, a statement within
five or six million dollars of the truth may
be considered accurate. Do any of u re.
alize with any degree OF ccuracy what is
meant by $40, 600, 900?
Undoubtedly the Manitoba manage
meut contemplate q trans-continental line,
to which the road from A~ssinaboine is to
DO a feeder. The main line will continue
up the Marias River, perhaps through the
Marias Gap and the rich mineral Kootenai
the shortest trans-continental line, the
line of lowest altitude, and a line the
grades OF which will be less
b one half an steep as tho heaviest
grades OF the Northern Pacific as now
constructed.
It is said that the original survey of thu. !
Northern Pacific was made up the Yellow. !
stone because the Indians were so hostile !
along the Missouri route. Whatever the
cause may have been, it was Il terrible mis- /
for that road to make. The Manito-
tude less than 1000 feet, and Fort Benton
altitude 1880 feet; while the Northern
to 5000 feet at Billings, $500 feet
1T Livingston and $500 feet at Bozeman |
tunnel. The former will have nowhere a. |
trade to exceed fifty feet to the mile, while
the latter road has nearly three times that 1
trade in places. The Manitoba will lay
Town freight at it's town of Great Falls for
ess than the Northern Pacific can at He,e-
IA: In fact, it will not have to climb so
go 80 far, nor ezpend SO much fuel in
aying freight down upon the west side of
he main range, as does the Northern Pa.
tic to lay it down in the Capital City.
II the Northern Pacific wants a share OF
he business OF Northern Montana, and
xpects to be able to anywhere near hold
the Manitoba in the matter ofPacifc
cast business, it has but one salvation-t
orrect as nearly as possible the error OF j
he first location. The main line as now
INSTRUCTED can be left in Eastern Montana
an altitude OF but little over 1000 feet.
he rich agricultural, stock and minin2
ountry OF the Judith valley, Belt, Moc-
asin and Judith mountains can be passed
and the head Of navigation oil
he Missouri crossed at All altitude of less
han 5000 feet; while the loop can bel
losed in Western Montana or in Idaho
y crossing the main range at an altitude.
OF SO great as that at the Bc:emanI
annel. Such a line only can escape thoset
srrible grades, that will render
ompetition with the Manitoba impossible. :
or the Northern Pacific to o thatt
ne produce Of northern Montana can be
auled via Helena and it's 100 foot grades,
competition with a road running down
Missouri, is like believing that thef
'snitoba could haul freight to St. PAUL
ON Helena via Butte, Deer Lodge and theI
larlas Pass, in competition with the
orthern Pacific over its present line.
1t can't be done; fuel costs and machin-
= wears out on big grades. Will the
orthern Pacific see the handwriting on the
all? There is a tide in the affairs ofI
lilroads." etc, etc. The influence of
community is great, and it acts quick.
I; but in time, gentlemen, the laws OF na-
ire will down even the millionaire,